Jeremic: Kosovo talks only within 1244 framework
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told news agency Tanjug that negotiations on Kosovo are possible only within the framework of the UNSC Resolution 1244. Belgrade daily Blic writes that Washington wants abolishment of this resolution.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Another condition for such discussions would be that they are held in a transparent manner, said Serbia's chief of diplomacy.
Serbia has always advocated resolving the Kosovo problem through peaceful dialogue, that should result in a compromise based on international law, Jeremic said.
This is the only way to secure lasting and sustainable regional stability, he added.
"However, such negotiations can be held only within the framework of the UN Security Counicl Resolution 1244 and in a transparent manner, in keeping with the democratic mandate the Serbian government has received from its citizens," Jeremic emphasized.
He was referring to reports that the international community is preparing for a resumption of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina.
"It is crucial for Serbia not to react to provocations and pressures, which are expected to grow," he said.
"Serbia must remain committed to principles and keep calm, with a clear vision how to pursue the resolving of the Kosovo problem," he said.
But, a Belgrade daily Blic writtes that Washington wants abolishment of UNSCR 1244.
Washington's plan is to enable a faster road to EU membership for Belgrade if it agrees to have UN Resolution 1244 abolished, political analyst in Washington Obrad Kesic said for Blic.
The resolution was passed by the UN Security Council ending the 1999 war, and has been in force since.
Kesic told the daily that America expects Belgrade to agree to this once the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gives its opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilaterally proclaimed independence.
The ruling is expected later this year.
Kesic said that the plan has been green-lighted by the U.S. administration, "which does not deal with the Balkans directly".
"This new UN resolution, which Washington supports, would cite the opinion of the ICJ, and it would be key for strengthening the independence of Kosovo. The big difference would be the limit on how long the resolution would be in force, because unlike Resolution 1244, which is automatically extended and can only be abolished with a UN vote, the new resolution would only be extended if supported by UN votes," Kesic said for Blic.
